After qualifying with difficulty against RB Leipzig, Real Madrid had to maintain its lead over FC Barcelona and Girona in the Championship, before knowing its opponent in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Deprived of Jude Bellingham after his controversial red card last week, Carlo Ancelotti opted for a mid four with Camavinga, Modric, Kroos and Brahim Díaz, behind Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.
General league table
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
|
66 |
27 |
38 |
20 |
6 |
1 |
56 |
18 |
|
2 |
|
62 |
28 |
26 |
19 |
5 |
4 |
59 |
33 |
|
3 |
|
61 |
28 |
23 |
18 |
7 |
3 |
57 |
34 |
|
4 |
|
55 |
28 |
23 |
17 |
4 |
7 |
54 |
31 |
See the full ranking
Faced with a Celta de Vigo team which is often used to making hold-ups against the Liga leaders, Camavinga was the first to prove dangerous with a powerful header deflected by Guaita (7th). The Merengues then dominated most of the start of the match and were rewarded by the opener from Vinicius Jr, who, despite a double save from Guaita, was able to put the ball in the back (1-0, 21st ). A perfect start.
Real Madrid ensures without Jude Bellingham
But Real Madrid then lacked efficiency in front of goal, despite its 8 shots on target in the first period and could even have been punished by Aspas, with his left foot, but Lunin was vigilant (38th). The pace then dropped a little after the break and Celta couldn’t seem dangerous. But the corners were fatal for the Galicia team, since Rudiger was able to make the break with a powerful header on the crossbar, deflected by poor Guaita in his goal (2-0, 79th).
At the end of the game, the Merengues secured the victory thanks to a beautiful cross from Vini Jr. who found the unfortunate foot of Dominguez, for a second goal against his side (3-0, 88th). And to top it all off, Arda Güler even scored his first goal in his new colors (4-0, 90th+4). Without trembling, Carlo Ancelotti’s men secured the essentials before going to Osasuna and remain seven points ahead of Girona, eight over FC Barcelona. Before a trip to Seville, Celta de Vigo is in danger and remains only two points ahead of the first relegation Cádiz.
